Traffic violation indicating system for motor vehicles



June 2, 1953 H. R. CARTER TRAFFIC VIOLATION INDICATING SYSTEM FOR MOTORVEHICLES Filed Oct. 51. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 k p s 3 F ln ven'ror'HARRY R. CARTER H. R. CARTER June 2, 1953 TRAFFIC VIOLATION INDICATINGSYSTEM FOR MOTOR. VEHICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 51, 1950 InventorHAR RY- R. CARTER,

H. R. CARTER June 2, 1953 TRAFFIC VIOLATION INDICATING SYSTEM FOR MOTORVEHICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 31, 1950 Inventor HARRY R. CARTERAttorney BUMAWU LZ Q FIG. 4

Patented June 2, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONINDICAT-l-NG SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Harry B. Carter, Larchlnont, N.Y.

Application October 31, i950", Serial No'. 193,163

21 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in a traffic violation indicatingsystem for motor vehicles capable of exposing a vehicle committing aviolation to detection for a predetermined time period after commissionof the violation.

According to National Safety Council statistics, 63% of all treiiicfatalities are caused by automobiles travelling at excessive speeds,with red light, stop sign center line violations, not to mention drunkendriving, contributing their shares to the ever increasing number ofdeaths and injuries caused by or indirectly resulting from reckless orimproper handling of automobiles.

A principalobject of the invention is the provision of a trafficviolation indicating system designed to discourage traffic violations byrendering the driver of the vehicle committing a violation of thetraffic regulations to exposure and detection for a predeterminedtimeperiod after he has committed the violation.

Another important aim of the invention is the provision of a trafficviolation indicating system which, by its ability to expose a tramcviolation for a predetermined substantial length of time after itscommission, assists law enforcement officers in apprehending theviolator and courts in prosecuting such violation.

Yet another object of the invention is the pro vision of a tra-lficviolation detection and exposure system adapted to be sealed within thebody and/or hood of a motor vehicle by an appropriate trafficenforcement agency and which operates in fully automatic manner toindicate and expose any one or all: of the violations for which thesystem is set up to detect for a substantial period of time followingthe commission of the violation or violations.

Still another object of the invention is the provision a traii'icviolation detection system which is so constructed and arranged that itimposes no restriction on the speed at which the motor vehicle may bedriven, as with speed governor controls, but on the other hand permitsthe vehicle to be driven in the normal manner and exercises itsviolation indicating and exposing function only in the event of thecommission of a violation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a trafficviolation indicating system capable of exposing a violation of a speedlimit, but which warns the operator of his violation for a limited timebefore exercising its exposing function, thus permitting him to correctthe violation.

A still further feature of the invention resides in the provision ofaspeed violation indicating system which is designed to permit emergencyviolation of a predetermined speed limit to be commited for a shortperiod of time as may be necessary to enable a vehicle equipped with thesystem to pass other vehicles, etc. under conditions where life orsafety depends upon same, Without indicating the violation.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a trafficviolation indicating system as aforesaid into which may be incorporatedmeans for immobilizing a vehicle equipped with same for a fixed timeinterval, in the event of commission of a plurality of violations withinan exposure period, thus protecting against an operator driving underthe influence of liquor who may be unconscious to, or unable to sensethe fact of, his repeated violations.

The above and other objects and features of advantage of a tramcviolation indicating system for motor vehicles according to theinvention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptionthereof, taken with the accompanying drawings which have been preparedin the interest of simple disclosure of the system and its componentsand not to illustrate precise details of the construction thereof,wherein:

Fig. 1 is illustrative of the physical arrangement and mounting of thecomponents making up the trafiic violation indicating system of theinvention in or on a motor vehicle;

Fig. 2 isa schematic lay-out and circuit diagram illustrating theelectrical connection and general functioning of the system and itscomponents, as illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of a modified arrangement of violationindicating means, the view diagramatically illustrating a plurality ofviolati'onindicators so connected in the system as to be effective toidentify any one of a plurality of traffic violations which the systemis set up to indicate and expose; and

Fig. dis apart-sectional and part diagrammatic view illustratinggovernor-controlled switch and timer components of a simplified trafficviolation indicating system according to the invention set up toindicate and expose the violation of a particular speed limit.

By way of preliminary description, reference is had to- Fig. 1,illustrating a typical installation or a traffi-c violation indicatingsystem of the invention in a motor vehicle which is shown to be aconventional passenger automobile, but which is representative of anytype of powered motor vehicle, such as a truck or bus, likely to violatethe traffic regulations. In said view, reference letter R indicates areceiver which is illustratively shown to be clamped to the rear axlehousing of the vehicle, the receiver being adapted to pick up electricalsignals transmitted from a frequency generator FG by transmitter Trwhich is intended to be imbedded in the roadbed, as will be hereinafterexplained, although it may be otherwise located as may be appropriate.The receiver R feeds through conductor AC to an analyser box Acontaining a plurality of fixed tuned-frequency analysing coils, whosefunction will be later explained. Positioned above the analyser box is aswitch box SB containing a plurality of solenoid-actuated switcheswhich, when individually closed, and upon other conditions of the systembeing satisfled, completes a circuit through the solenoid of asolenoid-actuated timing device T which controls energization of aviolation light VL preferably mounted on the front exterior of thevehicle, for example, on top of the motor hood, so that when energized,the violation light is readily discernible as by a traffic officer.Current is supplied through the switch box SB to the violation light VL,and also to a warning light WL, which latter may be fixed to thesteering post or to the vehicle dashboard, and whose function will belater explained, preferably from the vehicle battery B which isconnected to the switch box by a battery cable BC. A governorcontrolledswitch GS is adapted to be mechanically interposed in the speedometercable extending between the vehicle transmission case and the speedindicator usually mounted on the vehicle dashboard, the switch GSfunctioning in conjunction with the switches arranged in the switch boxSE to control energization of the solenoid-actuated timer T in themanner to be explained.

Preferably, the analyser box A, the switch box SB, and thesolenoid-actuated timer T are mounted on the engine side of the dash orpartition wall forming the front wall of the operators compartment, andthe governor controlled switch GS may be similarly mounted or may bemounted beneath the door board. It is contemplated that all of saidsystem components will be sealed within the car body by a suitabletrafiic enforcement agency, so that they cannot be tampered with ortheir operation modified in any way by the operator and that they shallfunction in fully automatic manner regardless of the wishes or desiresof the operator.

Although only one transmitter Tr has been illustrated in Fig. 1, it isintended that one or a plurality of such transmitters are to be embeddedin the roadway or along the side of the road in each speed zone; thatanother one or a plurality of such transmitters will be similarlyembedded in the roadway beneath the usual center or driving lines markedthereon; that a transmitter will be similarly embedded in the roadwayjust beyond the cross-walk line of intersections guarded by a trafiiclight, being electrically connected to said traffic light so as to beenergized only when the red or stop light thereof is energized; and thata transmitter will be similarly embedded in the roadway a predetermineddistance before each stop sign of a stop street intersection. It is alsoto be understood that the transmitters provided within each speed zone,and at the traffic lights and stop signs, will transmit a signal thatshall contain a frequency individual to the particular transmitter ortransmitters whereby upon analysis, the received signals can beidentified one from the other; that is to say, each received signal isindividual to a particular type of violation.

Now referring to Fig. 2, illustrating the electrical connection andfunctioning of the aforesaid components which have been designated bythe same reference letters employed in Fig. 1, it will be seen that theanalyser box A mounts a plurality of analysing coils H), II and I211,(22), 12c and 12d, of which coil |2a is energized upon the receiver Rpicking up a signal or signals containing the particular frequencyrepresentative of one speed zone, for example a 20 mile zone; the coil12?) is similarly energized by the receiver picking up a signal orsignals containing a different frequency representative of a 30 milespeed zone, for example; the coil being energized by the reception of asignal or signals containing a frequency representative of a 40 milespeed zone, for example; and the coil 12d being energized by thereception of a signal or signals containing the frequency representativeof a 50 mile speed zone, for example. The aforesaid coils I2a-l2d areconnected in series to ground with solenoids 13a, 13b, l3c, [3d,respectively, so that when any one of said analysing coils is energized,its corresponding solenoid is also energized.

The aforesaid solenoids l3al3d are contained in the switch box SB inactuating relation to switch arm Ma, [42), ldc, Md, respectively, whichare normally held in open position by means of rocking latches l5a, l5b,15c, Ifid, respectively. The aforesaid latches are illustratively shownto be of the bell crank type, the end of one arm of each being flexiblyconnected to a common actuating member 16, so that rocking movement ofany one of said latches results in actuation of all said latches inunison. The free or latching end of each of said latches is formed onits inner surface with a cam surface as shown, whereby closing(counter-clockwise) movement of any one switch arm (Mae-44d) resultingfrom energization of its actuating solenoid (I3a-l3d) rocks its latch inclockwise direction, said latch then returning, either under lightspring bias or its weight, to its initial position. Since all saidlatches are connected to move in unison, the clockwise movement of saidlatches results in the unlatching of any other of the switch arms l4al4dthat may have been momentarily closed, with the return movement of saidone latch resulting in the particular switch arm under actuation by itssolenoid being latched in its circuit closing position.

The switch arms l4al4d are parallel-connected in branch circuitsinterposed in conductor [1, Ila, llb from one side of the battery B toground, the conductor portion [7 supplying the warning light WL, theconductor portion Ila serving as a common supply conductor for saidbranch circuits, which are completed to ground via a movable switch armIQ of the aforesaid governor-controlled switch GS, through conductorportion ND. The conductor portion I! also supplies the solenoid TS ofthe timer T which is connected in parallel to the warning light WL, andsimilarly supplies the violation indicator light VL in a circuit toground which is a parallel circuit to those containing the warning lightWL and the timer solenoid TS.

The governor controlled switch GS illustratively comprises a fly-ballgovernor generally designated 2i) turning with a shaft or spindle 21suitably connected to a power take-off from the vehicle transmission,outward movement of the governor balls eifecting counterclockwisemovement of the switch arm 18-. The switch arm l8 carries a slidingcontact 18a adapted to successively engage the contacts 22a, 22b, 22c,22d with increase of or ward movement of the governor balls.Illustratively, the governor balls will be set to move outwardly anamount effectizig engagement of sliding contact lac with contact 22aupon a speed slightly in excess of 20 miles an hour being attained; withthe contact 2 21) upon a speed slightly in excess of miles an hour beingattained; with contact 220 upon a speed of slightly in excess of milesan hour being attained; and with contact 22d upon a speed slightly inexcess of miles an hour being attained. When any one of the aforesaidcontacts 22a-ll2d are so engaged, and assuming that the correspondingswitch-box solenoid (Hm-ltd) or the same branch circuit has beenenergized to close the corresponding switch arm (Ida-Add), a circuit iscompleted through the warning light WL, and also through the solenoid TSof the timer T, whose operation will later be described in detail, butwhose general function is to effect opening of the warning light circuitafter a short time period and closing. of the parallel circuitcontaining the violation light VL for a predetermined longer timeperiod.

The sliding contact Ito" always covers a fixed contact 25 similar to thecontacts 22a--22d, but which is positioned in advance thereof andconnected in a normally open branch circuit also fed: by conductorportion i'la, which is adapted to be completed upon closing movement ofa switch arm 26 operating similarly to the switch arms him-Md upon itsactuating solenoid 2'! of switch box SB being energized by currentpassing through the aforesaid analysing. coil ll. The latter coil isadapted to pass current to the solenoid 2! upon the receiver R pickingup a signal. containing the particular frequency of the traffic-lighttransmitter Tr and which, as above indicated, is to be imbedded in theroad way just beyond the crosswalk line and which is energized only whenthe red light is on. Hence, any traffic light violation, i. e. passingthrough a red light, will immediately energize both the warning light WLand the violation light VL, with the aforesaid energization of thewarning light being merely incidental to system operation. t will benoted that the switch arm 26 of the branch circuit energized by atraffic light violation is adapted to be latched either open or closedby a latch 28 connected to the common latch actuating member 15. Hence,closing movement of switch arm 28 may have the result of unla-tching anyone of the switch arms Ilia-lib which may have been previously latchedin circuit-closing position consequent to a speed zone violation.However, upon closing of switch arm 26, its branch circuit takes overthe function of continuing the energization of the violation light VLfor an additional predetermined time period as set by the timer T.

Between the always-covered contact 25 and the first contact 22a of thespeed zone contacts is an additional fixed contact 30 which is connectedin another branch circuit adapted to be completed upon a switch arm 31'being actuated to its circuit closing position by energization of asolenoid 32 contained in the switch box SB, and which is energized uponthe analysingcoil 6. [-8 passing current thereto. Said analysing. coilis adapted to be energized upon the receiver picking up a signalcontaining the particular frequency of a transmitter 'Ir imbedded in theroadbed a predetermined distance (30 feet, for example) in advance ofthe stop sign of a street intersection. The contact to is spaced fromthe zero-speed or covered contact 25 a small distance representative ofa vehicle speed of about two miles per hour. Hence,- immediately uponthe vehicle passing said transmitter, switch arm 3| moves to its circuitclosing position, thereby energizing the warning light WL and alsocompleting a parallel circuit through a holding coil 33 for a latch 34individual to said switch arm SI and which is normally biased to itsupper or unlatching position as illustrated. The holding coil is nowoperative to maintain the latch lowered and thereby to latch the switcharm 3| in circuit closing position so long as the vehicle is moving at arate in excess of about two miles per hour, this condition beingmaintained for the short period that the warning light circuit isenergized, i. e. 30 seconds, as will be explained. If the vehicle comesto a complete stop within said short time period, switch arm 18a recedesfrom contact 33' and breaks the holding coil circult and also thewarning light circuit. However, if the vehicle remains in motion at theend of said period, as in moving through the stop sign, the timer Tcompletes the circuit for the violation light VL, just as in the case ofthe speed zone violation.

To provide for detection of center-line and nopassing. zone violations,transmitters Tr suitably imbedded along the center of the road and whichutilize the same frequency as the transmitters placed at traffic lightsmay be employed. Thus, any crossing of center-line or passing in ano-passing zone results in energization of the violation light VL, as inthe case of a traflic light violation.

It is a feature of the invention that the violati'on light VL isenergized, in the case of a speed zone violation or violations, onlyafter the continua-nce of the violation for a short predetermined timeperiod, during which the warning light WL is energized to warn theoperator of his violation and give him opportunity to correct same, asby reducing his speed to that permissible in the particular speed zonethrough which he is travelling. To this end, the timer T aforesaidpreferably takes the form and construction as illustrated in Fig. 4, Insaid View, reference character 38 indicates a sealed housing adapted tobe bolted or screwed to the engine side of the dash ordriver-compartment separating. wall, said housing being divided intoupper and lower compartments by a partition wall 39. Contained in thelower compartment is the aforesaid timer solenoid TS, whose armature Alis pivotally connected to a pull lever intermediate the ends thereof.The lever is pivoted at one end to a fixed point on the timer housing,and at its other end to the free end of a plunger 43. Intermediate itsends, the plunger 43 mounts a pin 44 providing a connection betweenplunger and one arm of a switch actuating lever 45, preferably a bellcrank lever, pivotally supported on the partition plate 33. The otherarm of the lever is formed with spaced fingers 15a, 4519, one or theother of which is adapted to engage the toggle arm 48 of a normally opentoggle switch ll connected in the parallel violation-light circuit (seeFig. 2 The solenoid TS is supplied with battery current through thesupply conductor IT, as is the violation light VL, when toggle switch 41is in closed or in light-on position. Preferably a blinker switch 69 isconnected in the violation light circuit as shown in Fig. 2, whereby theviolation light VL is intermittently energized throughout the timeperiod of its energization.

The other end of the plunger 43 is connected to the one (the lower) of apair of diaphragms 51, 52 serving as end closures for a pair of fluidchambers formed by a. dividing wall 53 provided in an annularring-shaped body 54. Said chambers are adapted to be filled with anincompressible fluid such as oil, and communication is establishedbetween said chambers by two re stricted orifices 55, 55 provided in thedividing wall 53, the orifices being adjustable as to size by means ofadjustable needle valves 51, 58. Flow of oil through orifice 55 ispossible in one direction only, through the provision of a check valve s59 opening in the direction of the lower chamber, and flow of oilthrough orifice 56 is possible only in the opposite direction throughthe provision of a check valve '50 opening in the direction or" theupper chamber.

According to the invention, the orifices 55, 55 are so adjusted as tosize that a fixed time period, 30 seconds by way of example, will berequired for the upper chamber to empty through orifice 55 into thelower chamber, and that a fixed but substantially longer time period,one hour by way of example, will be required to permit the upper chamberto refill from the lower chamber.

Flow of oil from the upper to the lower chambers is induced uponenergization of the solenoid TS which causes its armature 4| to retractand exert pull on lever 42 and through plunger i=3 a corresponding pullon the lower diaphragm As said diaphragm deflects to its dotted lineposition, it draws oil from upper to lower chambers through orifice 55.Return fiow of oil to the upper diaphragm chamber is induced by a spring83 acting on pull lever 42 whi h, through plunger 43, exerts a push ondiaphragm i, driving the oil content of the lower chamber into the upperchamber through orifice 55, at the slow rate aforesaid.

The operation of a timer T as described is as follows: Assuming thetoggle switch 41 to be in its "light off position, corresponding to fullline 4,

position of the toggle arm 493, bell crank lever 45, diaphragm 5i, "2and pull lever 42, completion of any one of the aforesaid branchcircuits in the battery-to-ground conductor ll, lla, llb simultaneouslyenergizes warning light WL and solenoid TS. The armature M of the latteris accordingly retracted, and the lower diaphragm deflects from its fullto its dotted line positions at a rate determined by the rate of flow ofoil from upper to lower diaphragm chambers, i. e. filling of lowerchamber at the end of a second time period. In the event that the speedzone or stop sign violation is not corrected within this 30 secondwarning interval, bell crank is rocked to its dotted line position,thereby closing toggle switch 47, which results in the energization ofthe violation light VL directly from battery through supply conductorll. Since the oil displaced from the upper diaphragm chamber can bleedto said chamber only at the slow rate of filling of the upper chamber inone hours time, and since the operator is now powerless to prevent suchoperation even though he may reduce his speed or come to a late stop atthe stop sign intersection, the violation light VL remains energized forthe full hour period required for oil to refill the upper chamber. Uponthe oil finally bleeding back into the upper chamber under the pull ofspring 63 effective on the lower diaphragm, the latter returns to itsnormal full line position and through plunger 43 and switch actuatinglever 45 effects movement of the toggle arm 45 to its off position,which breaks the circuit of the violation light VL.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the ssytem sooperates that any traffic light or stop sign violation also results in afull hours energiaation of the violation light VL, since in the case ofthe trafilc light violation, the sliding contact [8a is always engagedwith contact 25 of the governor controlled switch GS, and in the case ofthe stop sign violation any slow motion of the vehicle past the stopsign at the end of the 30 second warning period results in the slidingcontact 18a engaging the con tact 3% of the govenior-controlled switchand a consequent latching of the switch arm 3| in its branch-circuitclosing position.

It will also be observed that the described system so further operatesthat a repeat violation occurring within the period of violation lightenergization causes the violation light to be engaged for a furtherperiod of one hour, since the repeat violation reenergizes the timersolenoid TS which in effect recycles the fluid timer, resulting in thetoggle switch A l being held in circuit closing or light-on position foranother one hour period.

In the foregoing description, the violation light VL has been indicatedto be a single light which is energized regardless of the type ofviolation comm t d. According to a further feature of l "on, a pluralityof violation lights, each in -dual to a particular type of violationwhich the system is set up to indicate, may be emin substitution of thesingle violation light as aforesaid, being connected in the system so asto give an identification of the particular violation committed. Such amodified arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 3 wherein six violationlights VLI-VL6 and associated timers Tl-TS are illustrated, one lightand timer for each of the six types of violations capable of beingidentified by the analysing coils of the analyser A (Fig. 1). With theexception that each violation light and its timer is connected in acircuit completed through a branch circuit individually supplied fromthe battery, rather than through the common conductor Ila, the modifiedsystem operates similarly to the system previously described employingthe single violation light.

If it is desired to protect against repeated violations as distinguishedfrom or in addition to indicating such violations, by a person such as adrunken driver who is not conscious of the number of violations which hecommits within a specified time, or the duration thereof in the case ofspeed violations, additional means may be provided for completelyimmobilizing the vehicle for a period of: one hcurs time upon thecommission of a predetermined number of repeat violations within thehour that the violation light VL is energized by a prior violation. Suchvehicle immobilizing means, which may be considered as optionalequipment, is illustrated in Fig. 2 and includes a conductor 65connected between supply conductor H and ground, having a delayed actionswitch 66 connected therein, which when closed supplies a solenoid 61.Thus, if a speed violation, for example, persists for a time exceedingthe setting of the delayed action switch 56, a circuit is completedthrough the solenoid 61. If the violation light VL is on when thecircuit of solenoid 8'! is energized by the first repeat violation, 2.second solenoid 6.8 supplied by a conductor 69 connected between thesupply conductor for the violation li ht and ground is energized.

Energization of the first solenoid 61 actuates the pawl H! of a rotarycounting device in counterclockwise direction, thus imparting one stepof rotation to the ratchet member 1! of said device, which latter mountsa normally closed rotary switch arm 12 in the vehicle ignition circuit.If the violation lamp VL is now energized, the second solenoid =68actuates a latch 13 to and maintains same in a position preventingreturn movement of the ratchet member H. Assuming the arrangement to besuch that immobilization is to take place upon 2 second repeat violationoccurring within the one hour period that the violation light islighted, the second violation parts another step of rotation to theratchet member i l, with latch 13 holding same as before. By design, thetotal angular rotation of the ratchet member is such as to move theswitch arm .12 .to a position. which it opens the ignition circuit andthereby completely demobilizes the vehicle for the full hours perioddetermined by the timer, which beings from the last repeat violation, aspreviously explained. Accordingly, it will be seen that repeatviolations in number giving the an ular movement of ratchet member Hrequired to actuate switch arm 1?. from a closed to an open positionwill automatically result in the vehicle bei g immobilized,

with the result that it can no longer be driven dangerously or otherwisefor a full hour's period.

For areas wherein trafiic lights, stop signs and center-line mar-kingsare not prevailing, the invention provides the simplified systemillustrated in part in Fig. i for exposing the violation .of a fixedspeed limit, for example the 50 miles an hour limit conventional :onmost main highways. This simplified system employs the solenoid actuatedtimer T as previously described, in conjunction with a simplifiedgovernor-controlled switch GS-II. The latter is illustratively shown tocomprise a grounded casing 80 adapted to be bolted to the engine side ofthe dash or to the floor of the vehicle, the casing having a cover 81,.Journaled in the main wall of the casing is ,a shaft 32 adapted to beconnected at its one end to a power take-of? from the transmission, theshaft 82 mounting intermediate its ends a dye-ball governor generallydesignated 83,, and at its other end driving rniter gears 84, 85, thelatter gear in turn driving a spindle 36 adapted to ;be :drivingly-.c0,n-

balls in response to speeds under 50 miles an hour will not disturb thenormal spacing of switch blade 8? and contact .90. However, upon the ve.hicle exceeding the .50 miles an hour, .the governor balls moveoutwardly byanamountefiecting engagement .of switch blade 6] withcontact 8,0,

thereby completing a circuit through the warning light WL and the timersolenoid TS as previously described. As heretofore, if the operatorfails to reduce his speed below the permissible limit within the 35)second Warning period, the violation light V1,. is energized for thefull. one hour period as determined by the timer '1. It is to beunderstood that the setting of the governor may be adjusted tocorrespond to any predetermined speed limit, which may of course withdifferent localities,

Without further analysis it will be seen that a tr ffic violationindicating system as described achieves the big 1;! desirable objectivesset forth the foregoing. By exposing trafiic violations, the system ofthe invention has the effect of discouraging such violations and thusstrikes at the lac rt of the problem of the numerous deaths and ies dueto ti lations. In the event that the system fails in this respect, it isnevertheless highly usefu assisting law enforcement oflicers in apprehrh ing traffic violators and courts in prosecuting such VlGl" It isnoteworthy that a trafnc violation indicating and exposing system asdescribed ever-- comes the objections directed against the suggestion ofrequiring all motor vehicles to be qu p ed wit a speed ov no m l t a its at times nec ssary o exce d s dli its Whe e lives may depend upon itand under other emergency driving conditions. This objection is QVEI'.come by the present system which in nowise restricts the speed at whicha vehicle can be driven, but, ratheserves the sole purpose of exposing aspeed other popular types of violation for a predetermined time upon thecommission thereof.

It is also to be observed that the system of the invention issufficiently flexible that the speed setting of the governor controlledswitches G6 or (353-! can be modified as required or found necessary foroperators in a special category, such as doctors, by the properauthorities. However, with respect to traflic light, stop sign andcenter line violations, it will be appreciated that even such specialpersons should not be exempt from exposure, nor are they exempted by theherein system.

In the foregoing description, the time cycles, location of parts andnumber arrangement and components and circuits employed are to be takenas illustrative only, since such are given only for the purpose ofsimplified disclosure and without limiting effect.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructionswithout departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

I claim:

1. A t1 flic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprisingin combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicleexternaliy thereof, a receiver mounted on said vehicle for receivingelectrical signals of difierent frequencies transmitted from signalsources located along a each said signal being representative of aparticular traffic violation, means for analysing the received signals,normally open circuit means for energizing indicator means, switch meansin the circuit means including speed responsive means and means actuablein accordance with the response of the analysing means to ei tectclosing of said circuit means, and

timing means operative to maintain the circuit means closed for apredetermined time period following its closing and, upon the elapse ofsaid period. to effect opening of said circuit means.

2. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprisingin combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicleexternally thereof, a receiver mounted on said vehicle for receivingelectrical signals of different frequencies transmitted from signalsources located along a roadway, each said signal being representativeof a particular traffic violation, means for analysing the receivedsignals, normally open circuit m ans for energizing said indicatormeans, spee -controlled switch means and normally open switch meanscontrolled by said analysing means and being conjointly operative inresponse to a predetermined vehicle speed and a particular response ofthe analysing means related to said vehicle speed to effect closing ofsaid circuit means, and timing means operative to maintain the circuitmeans closed for a predetermined time period following its closing andupon the elapse of said period to effect opening of said circuit means.

3. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprisingin combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicle eX-ternally thereof, a receiver mounted on said vehicle for receivingelectrical signals of different frequencies transmitted from signalsources located along a roadway, each said signal being representativeof a particular traffic violation, means for analysing the receivedsignals, normal- 1y open circuit mean for energizing said indicatormeans comprising a supply circuit and a parallel circuit containing saidviolation indicator means, said supply circuit including multiplecircuits connected in one of the supply and return conductors thereof,normally open switch means in each of the multiple circuits, means foractuating said switch means to circuit closing position in response to apredetermined vehicle speed and to a particular response of theanalysing means related to said speed, and timing means including asolenoid connected in said supply circuit adapted when enerigized byclosing of the supply circuit to effect a delayed closing of theparallel circuit and thereupon to maintain said parallel circuit closedfor a predetermined period of time thereafter.

4. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle asdescribed in claim 3, wherein the switch means connected in each saidmultiple circuit comprises a first speed-controlled switch and asecondsolenoid-controlled switch whose solenoid is energized by a response ofsaid analysing means to a received signal.

5. A trafiic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprisingin combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicle er;-ternally thereof, a receiver mounted in said vehicle for receivingtransmitted electrical signals of different frequencies transmitted fromsignal sources located along a roadway, each said signal beingrepresentative of a particular type of traffic violation, signalanalysing means mounted in said vehicle comprisinr a plurality ofanalysing coils each tuned to a particular one of said frequencies andeach adapted to pass a current to a solenoid in circuit therewithresponsively to the reception of asignal having a frequency to which itis tuned, circuit means for energizing said violation indicating meansincluding a supply circuit and a parallel circuit containing saidviolation indicating means, said supply circuit including a plurality ofcontrol circuits, one for each type of traflic violation, and eachhaving a normally open switch therein adapted to be closed uponener'rization of a corresponding one of said solenoids, and timing meansincluding a solenoid connected in the supply circuit adapted whenenergized by closing of said supply circuit to effect a delayed closingof the parallel circuit and thereupon to maintain said parallel circuitclosed for a predetermined period of time thereafter.

6, A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle asdescribed in claim 5, wherein said violation indicator means comprises aplurality of indicators, each indicative of a particular type of traificviolation and each being con tained in its own parallel circuit alsocontaining a timing means as aforesaid.

7. A trailic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprising,in combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicleexternally thereof, circuit means for energizing said means including anormally open first circuit containing a warning indicator and anormally open parallel circuit containing said indicator means,series-connected signal-analyzing and speed controlled switch means insaid first circuit for closing same upon the vehicle travelling inexcess of a predetermined speed as determined. by signals indicative ofspeed zones transmitted from a roadway source, and timing meansincluding a solenoid connected in said first circuit so as to beenergized upon closing thereof for effecting a delayed closing of theparallel circuit and for maintaining said parallcl circuit closed forapredetermined period of time thereafter.

8. A traflic violation indicating system for a, motor vehiclecomprising, in combination, violation indicator means mounted on saidvehicle externally thereof, circuit means for energizing said meansincluding a normally open first circuit containing a warning indicatorand a normally open parallel circuit containing said in dicator means,speed controlled switch means in said first circuit for closing sameincluding a. speed governor, a switch arm actuable thereby, and aplurality of contacts arranged to be serially engaged by said switcharm, said contacts being connected in normally open branch circuitsinterposed in one of the conductors of the supply circuit,signal-responsive switch means also connected in each of said branchcircuits, each responding to a signal of a particular frequencyindividual to a predetermined trafllc zone as transmitted from a roadwaysource, the arrangement being such that said first circuit is closablethrough any one of said branch circuits whose signal-responsive switchmeans is 0perated simultaneously with engagement of its contact by saidswitch arm, and timing means including a solenoid connected in saidfirst circuit so as to be energized upon closing thereof for eifecting adelayed closing of the parallel circuit and for maintaining saidparallel circuit closed for a predetermined period of time thereafter.

9. A trailic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprising,in combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicleexternally thereof, circuit means for energizing said means including anormally open supply circuit containing a warning indicator and anormally open parallel circuit containing said indicator means, speedcontrolled switch means for closing said supply circuit including aspeed governor, a switch arm actuable ther by, and a plurality ofcontacts arranged to be serially engaged by said switch arm, saidcontacts bei 3 connected in normally open branch circuits interposed inone of the conductors of the supply circuit, the arrangement being suchthat the supply circuit is closable through one of said branch circuitsupon the vehicle speed increasing in increments from zero to apredetermined maximum, .a normally open switch in each of said branchcircuits, means for selectively actuating said last switches including areceiver mounted in said vehicle for receiving transmitted electricalsignals having different frequencies trans mitted from signal sourceslocated along a roadway, each said signal being representative of aparticular type of trailic violation, signal analysing means com-prisinga plurality of analysing coils each tuned to a particular one offrequencies, and. solenoid-s for actuating said switches connected incircuits to ground with said analysing coils, the arran ,ment being suchthat a particular branch circuit rendered closable by engagement theswitch arm of the for a predetermined period of time thereafter. a

10. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle as setforth in claim 9, wherein latch means are provided to hold saidbranchoircuit switches in their circuit closing position following amomentary energization of their actuating solenoids.

11. A traflic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle as setforth in claim 9, wherein latch means are provided to hold saidbranchcircuit switches in their circuit closing position following amomentary energization of their actuating solenoids and wherein meansare provided to effect release of any previously latched switch upon.another latch m ans being actuated to its holding position.

12. In a trailic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle havingan electrical ignition system which is closed during operation of saidvehicle comprising, combination, violation indicator means mounted onaid vehicle external- 1y thereof, normally open circuit means forenergizing said indicator means, timer means for controlling the closingand opening of said circuit means, receiver-controlled means on saidvehicle for initiating actuation of said timer means to close saidenergizing circuit means and thereby energize said violation indicatormeans responsively to each reception of a signal of a particularfrequency indicative of the commission of a traiiic violation and whichis transmitted from a signal source located along a roadway, said timermeans heing operative upon initial actuation thereof to maintain saidenergizing circuit means closed for a predetermined time eriodthereafter, and means for breaking said ignition circuit responsively torepeat actuations of said receiver-controlled means within saidpredetermined time period.

13. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehiclecomprising, in combination, violation indicator means mounted on saidvehicle externally thereof, a normally open circuit for energizing saidindicator means, and means for closing said energizing circuit upon fora predetermined time following the commission of a tra-ffic violationincluding violation detecting means on said vehicle responding for itsoperation to the reception of a signal of a particular frequencyindicative of said violation and which is transmitted from a signalsource located along roadway, and means energized by said detectingmeans for closing said energizing circuit and thereupon main -c ing itclosed for said predetermined time period.

14. A traiilc violation indicating system as set forth in claim 13,wherein said last means is effcc-tive when energized to close saidenergizing circuit with a delay action.

15. A traiiic violation indicating system as set forth in claim 13,wherein said last means comprises timen-cont lied switch connected incontrol relation said energi Lng circuit.

16. A traific violation indicating system as set forth in claim 13,wherein said last means .comprises normally open switch means connectedin said energizing circuit, and a two-way timer means for actuating saidswitch means, said timer means being operative to close said energizingcircuit after the elapse of a short time interval and thereupon tomaintain it closed for said predetermined time interval.

1'7. A traiiic violation indicating system for a motor vehiclecomprising, in combination, violation indicator means mounted on saidvehicle externally thereof, a normally open circuit for energizing saidindicator means, means for closing said energizing circuit upon and fora predetermined time period following the commission of a traiiicviolation including normally open switch means connected in saidenergizing circuit, and means for actuating said switch means includingviolation-detecting means on the vehicle responding for its actuation tothe reception of a signal of a particular frequency indicative of atraffic violation and which is transmitted from a signal source locatedalong the roadway, and speed-controlled switching means connected incircuit with said detecting means.

18. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehiclecomprising, in combination, violation indicator means mounted on saidvehicle externally thereof, a normally open circuit for energizing saidindicator means, means :for closing said energizing circuit upon and fora predetermined time period following the commission of a trailicviolation including normally open switch means connected in energizingcircuit, timer means for actuating said switch circuit means foractuating said timer means including switching means responding for itsactuation to the reception of a signal of a particular frequencyindicative of a trafiic violation and which is transmitted from a signalsource located along a roadway and speed-controlled switch meansconnected in series with said signal responsive switching means.

19. A traffic violation indicating system as set forth in claim 18,wherein said timer means comprises a two-way timer operating to closesaid energizing circuit switch means after the elapse of a short timeinterval. and thereupon to maintain it closed for said predeterminedtime interval.

20. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehiclecomprising, in combination, viola- 15 tion indicator means mounted onsaid vehicle externally thereof, a circuit for energizing said indicatormeans, normally open switch means in said circuit, electrically operatedtimer means for actuating said switch means, normally open circuit meansconnected in parallel with said energizing circuit for actuating saidtimer means including a Warning indicator, violation-detecting meansresponding for its actuation to the reception of a signal of aparticular frequency indicative of a. traffic violation and which istransmitted from a signal source located along a roadway andspeed-controlled switching means connected in series with said detectingmeans, said detecting means and said speed-controlled means beingoperative to close said parallel circuit and thereby energize saidwarning indicator immediately upon detection of a violation occuringsimultaneously with a predetermined speed condition, and said timermeans being effective upon closing of said parallel circuit and with adelay action with respect to such closing to close said normally openswitch means and thereby the energizing circuit after the elapse of ashort time interval and thereupon to maintain said switch means andenergizing circuit closed for a prolonged period thereafter,irrespective of the opening of the parallel circuit.

21. A traffic violation indicating system as set forth in claim 20,wherein said timer means comprises a. two-way timer including a switchactuating element and means for efiecting movement of said element indirection as to close said normally open switch means at a fast rate andfor effecting movement of said element in the opposite direction at asubstantially slower rate.

HARRY R. CARTER.

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